The Laguiole Knife

The residents of Laguiole in France maintain that Napoleon gave them the exclusive right to make this knife because of their bravery in battle. The residents of Thiers (the knife capital of France) disagreed, so these knives, with the decorated back and the traditional bee as a thumb rest, have been made in both places since.

With a classic shape that fits the hand beautifully, it is made of Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel and brass, with rosewood or ebony handle scales. Because of its size (8" open, 4-3/8" closed), it was even used as a dinner knife by travellers in earlier times.